India crucial in countering China’s Indo-Pacific expansion, says Taiwan

India plays a crucial role in the efforts of like-minded countries across the Indo-Pacific and groups such as the Quad to counter China’s challenge to the global rules-based order and its expansionism, Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-Lung stated on Wednesday. With global concerns about China’s assertive actions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea, Taiwan aims to collaborate with groups like AUKUS, Five Eyes, G7, and the Quad to establish a coherent defence framework for the region, Lin conveyed to international journalists on the eve of Taiwan’s National Day.

Lin highlighted the increasing cooperation between Taiwan’s semiconductor giants and countries like India, Japan, Germany, and the US. This aligns with the new government’s foreign policy focused on creating three chains: a security alliance chain, a non-China and resilient supply chain, and a global democratic chain. “The Indo-Pacific framework or the Quad unites several countries facing similar geopolitical challenges due to China’s rising power and expansionism,” he explained in response to a query about Taiwan’s collaboration with the Quad and India.

China is challenging the existing rules-based international order, Lin noted, adding that it is legitimate for like-minded countries to enhance cooperation and dialogue to face this challenge. Among these countries, India holds special importance. Lin stressed the need for an overarching cooperation framework that leverages the complementary economies of India and Taiwan. This cooperation is not only about countering China’s expansionism, dominance of supply chains, and economic coercion but is also aligned with India’s ambitions.

India “especially important” in efforts by nations across Indo-Pacific & groupings such as Quad to counter China’s challenge to global rules-based order & its expansionism, says Taiwan foreign minister @MOFA_Taiwan @chia_lung https://t.co/CfE6jgXsim

— Rezaul Hasan Laskar (@Rezhasan) October 9, 2024

Lin mentioned Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation and another chip company forming a joint venture with India’s Tata Group. These efforts aim to establish a clean network and move away from the Red supply chain. Lin proposed that New Delhi could launch initiatives to attract Taiwanese companies based in China to invest in India. He suggested tools like a free trade agreement (FTA) or creating a favourable environment for Taiwanese small and medium enterprises in the Indian market.

Lin pointed to China’s border disputes with many countries and its use of initiatives like One Belt, One Road and Digital Silk Road, along with its military power, economic coercion, and cultural soft power, to influence the world. He described the Chinese government as authoritarian and stated that this is now a battle between two camps: one led by China and the other comprising like-minded countries creating a clean network and safeguarding the rules-based international order.

Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister Francois Chihchung Wu remarked separately that the US and India are the only countries capable of balancing China. He noted that Taiwan’s relations with India have improved significantly in recent years. Although unable to establish formal diplomatic relations, Taiwan has used pragmatic mechanisms to build political and trade ties with India, France, and the US. Wu emphasised the need to counter Chinese President Xi Jinping’s territorial ambitions, referring to China’s territorial disputes in the East and South China Sea and with India. He warned that if China succeeds in conquering new territories, the next targets could be Japan, the Philippines, and then India.

Although India and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, they established representative offices in each other’s capitals in 1995. Taiwan operates the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi, while India has the India-Taipei Association (ITA) office in Taipei. These offices promote cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and education. In 2023, two-way trade amounted to $8.2 billion, with India being Taiwan’s 16th largest trading partner. Taiwan’s exports to India reached $6 billion, making India its 12th largest export market.